STORY 100 years after the world was nearly destroyed during World War III... Cutting-edge technology saved the planet from a nuclear winter, allowing its population to reach the tens of billions once more. This eventually gave rise to a new ultimate military technology, the Gauntlet. People who wore these on their left arms were called Gauntlet Knights, and without carrying any additional equipment, they could use this unrivaled power to fly like fighter planes, fight like aircraft carriers and battleships, and repel all sorts of attacks like tanks. Children all over the world were fascinated by this new kind of hero. However, because Gauntlets could only be used by those who had particular talents and underwent special training from a very young age, not even 150,000 people from across the world could control them, even if you counted preschoolers. And the number of people who actually earned the title of Gauntlet Knight was even smaller. In other words, it was becoming an era where all existing military forces would be obsolete, and where the military might of the world would be measured by the small number of boys and girls who could use Gauntlets. After competing against each other in the International Battle Standard Festival, a group of Gauntlet Knights from all over the world became fast friends, swearing to support the walls of peace from both sides and prevent another World War from ever occurring. However, World War IV was steadily approaching, like a line of falling dominos. The young are supposed to be the main characters in their own eras. But in reality, they're nothing but game pieces lined up on the board of those who are crafty and more experienced. Must these boys and girls be forced to kill each other as pieces? Who are the pieces, and who are the players? And who does the players' bidding? What victory conditions does each person have? Is it peace? War? Annihilation? Is the foretold tragedy a scheme or a delusion, the future or reality? No. There is no need to resist this tragedy. The job of a game piece is to dance about within the tragedy's grasp. What are the rules of the game, you ask? How hard is it? That's for us to decide, so it's none of your concern. All you people need to do is take pieces and get taken yourselves, entertaining us with the range of your emotions. Are you listening? You don't want to misunderstand your position. You aren't my opponent. You're merely a piece that exists for my amusement. In this next game, I won't give you the privilege of being a player!

I find it admirable thay Ryukishi07 still does character arts himself after all the years.

Phase 2 will come to us riding a white horse

0:48 Ahh, the true protagonists of the When They Cry series. Ruykishi07 is back.

0:48 HOLY SH*T TAKANO IS BACK!!!

I legit respect Ryukishi with how much he improved his art compared to Higurashi/Umineko to what he can do now

Getting huge Ushiromiya Ange vibes from the MC (Red hair, jumping off a building)^^

Ryukishi really perfected his art style with this game wow.

I'm impressed how far the author went. And how he insists on making the character's sprites even though he could afford a better artist. Respect.

The most diverse cast in a visual novel I’ve ever seen and I’m here for it. Can’t wait to read it.

Really loving the charcterdesigns in this one

I can feel myself suffering already. I'm so excited

Damn Okonogi is immortal

BERNKASTEL AND TAKANO. OH MY GOSH, IM SO FKING HAPPY TO LIVE IN THIS TIMELINE. TY RYUKISHI-SAMA

Ryukishi has gotten so much better at drawing.

is that Takano Miyo! ?

for those who dont know, this game will come out on steam and with a english translation as soon as uts release on japan

This is truly the pinnacle of ryukishi's art, it kept his iconical art style while having great quality to it

Ciconias getting more attention!!!!! Hope they announce phase 2 after gou

The genus of stork Ciconia, is prounounced "Si-Con-ee-ah",but the japanese has it as "Ki-ko-ni-a" .... so how should I even say it in English lol

Their fists looks like apples

the art keeps on improving

So, it's confirmed in my heart that the girl with the cinnamon buns for hair is already best waifu 👌

Still waiting phase 2 :(((

Ryukishi has improved so much in art wtf

his writing makes everything so vivid

I just can't wait to listen the BGM of this

im obsessed with this op

Interesting, will be nice to see how this plays out

0:49 T-T-T-Takano Miyo!!

Still waiting for ep 2 P A I N

A few things i found interesting, some of whom, have already been pointed out by others. A few smaller Umineko and Higurashi spoilers may be mentioned 0:25 What seems to be the main characters team, is shown with an emblem picturing a cat with a scytche... seems familiar. The cat could also just be referring to the fact that the last part of the main characters name "Mitake Miyao" sounds like a Meow. 0:31 Person to the right kind of looks like Furudo Erika, especially with that expression on her face 0:49 The person in the back, kind of looks like Okonogi, and the person to the right is undoubtedly Takano. Her ribbon on her chest is even included. Of course Lambdadeltas design and name was quite the red herring for Takano in Umineko, perhaps this is too in someway? This is most likely just due to change in artstyle, but her hairstyle has changed a little bit. I'll agree in, and accept that this is Takano, however i won't be suprised if it turns out to be a red herring of some kind. And here is a few more questionable observations, that are most likely just me overthinking things, in a desperate effort to find anything. 0:41 The person on the left has a golden rose on her. This most likely means nothing, but still, you never know 0:45 The right side of the bird sitting on top of the earth, kind of looks like the one winged eagle, especially the wings of the emblem that the two girls carry on their shoulders, has a resemblence to the one winged eagle, that is if you ignore the head. Again, this is most likely nothing. 0:46 Of what we can see in this picture, the middle girls outfit, resembles Bernkastels outfit, to actually a quite high degree. 1:17 A red haired person jumping off a building seems familiar 1:25 In this scene, the picture inverts. The first teaser image we got of Ciconia was inverted as well. Perhaps inverting pictures will be a hint in figuring out "the truth" if Ciconia happens to play out in the same manner as Higurashi and Umineko. Guess we'll have to wait for more information to draw any conclusions. I really can't wait for this game.

Dude with the green hair and glasses lining too fresh

0:49 TAKANO

1:23 that soundFX I shiver Even in Caligula Effect Overdose!

i'n honestly scared it will get discontinued after phase 2 because of low sales

Look a the bright side shits of man, you give me a more beautiful dark gameboard that some god emperor has.

Oh baby Im always down for a new When They Cry game

I never been so hyped to read.

god the acoustic guitar is so good here

I don't know ryukishi07 can create song before 0:08

Really excited for this one

this really does hype me up

I have set up a Discord server for Ciconia news, discussion, speculation and theory-crafting, as well as talking about other 07th Expansion works and generally having a Good Time(TM). Anyone's welcome to join! discord.gg/JbSxvta

Takano Miyo!

oh how i love 7th expansion

This gameboard looks interesting... But I will wait until this game continues.

The 6 dislikes are from iluminati XD

ABSOLUTE BANGER

Can't wait😫😫

Life was so much better when I first saw this lol

I'm sooo excited even though I still haven't read Higurashi and am only almost halfthrough Umineko

Todo lo relacionado a umineko es bienvenido, otra joya más por contar

I can't wait for Phase 2. Hope they release it sooner.

I hope the politics in this will be like or even better than Rose Guns Days.

The biggest twist is that Black people exist in the WTC universe

*stares very hard at the downvotes* Knew those peace-loving radicals couldn’t be trusted.

CHAPTER 2 FUCKING CONFIRMED LET'S GOOOOOOOOO

Ah. Nice.

1:18 Titan transformation!!!

is it me or are there two characters with hijab on?? :0

No puedo esperar

0:48 IS THAT TOKANO?!!!

😍🥺I need phase two lol it’s mostly gonna be out when I graduate but I enjoyed phase 1!!!!

It's about to be 2022 and no phase 2?

Heree we go again boiz. YAS!

HYPE!

I know this is irrelevant but after watching this, I am excited to read this visual novel.. I miss Battler and Beatrice

RAW

All of my yes!

Gonna be reading this soon 🌝

Ohh yeahh very good

i wonder how ryukishi managed to write poc characters, most japanese media is wonky in writing western people in general so this sure must have been especially challenging

Phase 2 never I guess

MY WIG JUST FLEW OFF MY CRUSTY SCALP LIKE A JET

INJECT THIS INTO MY VEINS

YES YES YES

Wow!

oh?

Phase 2? Never.

По музыке Аисты чет подкачали относительно опенингов цикад и чаек, хоть и имеют свою уникальную атмосферу. Может после прочтения мое мнение изменится. Куча референсов, по стилю напоминает экшоновый RGD, черт, думаю будет интересно. Давай, дядюшка Рю, мы ждем и верим в очередное чудо.

No doubt it will be gorgeous!

OMG a new When They Cry series! I felt like its been eons since the last one (Uminkeo).

Black Hole Bullets

Damn, so many years past and this guy is still meaking characters in paint

I will play Ciconia one day XD Maybe when the phase 2 will be translated and available on steam X)

and we're back

omg it's takano miyo

And in higurashi gou they throw the name of a character from this game lol Xwx

My Body is ready for more 07 Torture :) Although this looks much more Metal Gear Solid than Higurashi, but who the hell cares, I need more Time Bending Murder in my life.

Them smug faces

why... that featherine or someone else said Vier and specimen number LD3105 in higurashi

Wow that was Takano?

WHERE THE WITCHES AT

Phase two when

THE 6 DONT LIKE ARE FROM THE ILUMINATI

Fuck yes🤩

We need this visual novel have an anime adaptation asap